Starting device for constant-current apparatus.



,No; 678,069. Patented luly 9, l90l.

C. H. VAN SLYCK.

STARTING DEVICE FOR CONSTANT CURRENT APPARATUS.

(Application filed May 9, 1901.)

(No Model.)

. Winesses nv fio 1 Charles H.V '1n (ilyck AGfy.

UNITED STATES j PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. VAN SLYCK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRICCOMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

STARTING DEVICE FOR CONSTANT-CURRENT APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,069, dated July 9,1901.

Application filed May 9, 1901- Serial No. 59,380. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H.VAN SLYCK, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Starting Devices forConstant-Current Apparatus, (Docket No. 1,745,) of which the followingis a specification.

In the practical operation of constant-current-regulating devices, suchas constan t-current transformers or constant-current reactive coils, inwhich the regulation is effected through the movement of a coil orcoils, it is desirable when starting that the parts should be in theposition corresponding to no load, because when in this position therush of current at starting is a minimum and the consequent strain onthe apparatus much less than if the parts were in the positioncorrespond ing to full load.

My present invention comprises means whereby constant-current-regulatingapparatus of the types mentioned may be conveniently started in themanner described, the arrangement being such that the whole op erationmay be controlled either from the switchboard or from any otherconvenient point.

In carrying my invention into practice I provide amagnetically-controlled latch which when the parts of the mechanism tobe controlled come into no-load position serves to lock the parts inthis position, the latch being controlled by a switch located, as beforementioned, at some suitable point.

For a better understanding of my invention reference is to be had to thefollowing description, taken in connection with theaccompanyingdrawing,which represents in diagram one embodiment of myinvention.

The scope of the invention is more particularlyv pointed out in theclaims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a constant-currenttransformerrepresenting one of the various regulating devices to whichmy invention may be applied. The transformer in the present instanceconsists of a threelegged core having the legs 2, 3, and 4 joined by endpieces 5 6 in a well-known manner, the central leg 3 serving as a commonreturn for the outside legs 2 and 4. Two coils 7 8 are mounted so as tosurround the central core 3, the coil 7 in this case being shown asfixed and the coil 8 as connected to a counterbalancing-lever 9. Theweight 10, attached to the outer end of the lever 9, is proportioned soas only to partially counterbalance the Weight of coil 8 and partsconnected thereto. The repulsion between the currents in the coils 7 and8 serves to overcome that portion of the weight not counterbalanced andcauses the coils to separate. The movable coil in a manner wellunderstood automatically adjusts its position so as to preserve asubstantially constant current in the secondary circuit 11, fed from thecoil 7, the coil 8 being represented in this case at the primary coilreceiving current through the leads 12, connected to any suitablesourceof current. To the outer arm of the lever 9 is pivoted at 13 oneof two jointed links 14 and 15. The link 15 is provided with a catch 16,the downwardly-projecting 'end of which is arranged so as to engage alatch 17, controlled by the armature 18 of an electromagnet 19.

When the coils 7 and 8 of the transformer are separated from each otheras widely as possible, this wide separation corresponding to theposition of no load, the relative position of the parts of the mechanismwill be about as indicated in the drawing, in which the outer end of thelever 9 has moved downward, thereby causing the catch 16 to be movedinward and into engagement with the latch 17. A convenient means forautomatically caus ing the parts to move into this position may consistof a short-circuiting device, such as the switch 20, for short-circuiting the secondary Winding 7. Just before shutting down the transformer theswitch 20 may temporarily be moved into the short-circuiting position,thereby causing a maximum repulsion of the coils 7 and 8 and aconsequent engagement between the catch 16 and the latch 17. Upon nextstarting up the transformer by turning on the current in the primarycircuit the parts of the transformer will be in a position least likelyto cause a resulting undesirable rush of current. As soon as current hasbeen turned on in the primary circuit 12 current flows in the secondarycircuit 11 and through the magnet 19 in series therewith, therebycausing an attraction of the armature 18 and a release of the lever 9,which thereupon allows the movable coil 8 to move into a positioncorresponding to the load on the secondary circuit. If desired, ashortcircuiting switch 21 may be used to control the action of themagnet 19, this switch being opened when it is desired that the magnetshall operate and closed when it is desired that the magnet shall beinoperative. The switch 21 permits the magnet 19 to be controlled atWill so long as current is flowing in the secondary circuit.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is

1. The combination with a constant-current-regulating device havingamovable meming device for said member.

2. The combination with a constant-current-regulating device providedwith a movable member, of a locking device for securing said member inone of its extreme positions of movement.

3. The combination with a constant-current transformer having relativelymovable members, of an electromagnetically controlled locking deviceforoneot said members.

4. The combination with a constant-current-regulating apparatus having amovable member, of a latch for locking said member in one of its extremepositions of movement, and magnetic means for controlling said latch.

5. The combination with a constant-current-regulating apparatus having amovable member, of a locking device for said member, and meanscontrolled by current flowing in said regulating apparatus for actuatingsaid locking device.

6. The combination of a constant-current transformer having a movablemember,a looking device for said member, a magnet in operative relationto said locking device, and means for causing current from the secondaryof said transformer to pass through the windber,of anelectromagnetically-controlled lock-v ing of said magnet.

7. The combination of a constant-current transformer, means for lockingthe parts in a position corresponding to no load, and means controllableat will for unlocking said parts.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this (3th day of May,1901.

CHARLES II. VAN SLYCK. [h a] Witnesses:

THOMAS K. HENDERSON, IIAYGARTH LEONARD.

